Flying To Atlanta, Georgia: How To Plan, Book, and Navigate Your Trip

Flying to Atlanta, Georgia is straightforward, but a little local knowledge makes your trip much smoother—whether you’re visiting for the first time, coming home, or connecting through the city.

Atlanta is served primarily by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest airports in the world and a major hub for flights across the United States and abroad. This guide walks you through finding a flight to Atlanta, choosing the right airport options, navigating ATL, and getting from the airport into the city.

Understanding Flights to Atlanta, Georgia

Most people searching “flight to Atlanta Georgia” are trying to figure out:

• Which airlines fly into Atlanta
• The best times and days to fly
• How to navigate ATL once they land
• How to get from the airport to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs

If you’re flying into Atlanta, you will almost always arrive at:

There are a few smaller airports around metro Atlanta (for private, charter, or some regional flights), but commercial travelers overwhelmingly use ATL.

Major Airlines and Routes Into Atlanta

As a major hub, Atlanta has direct flights to many cities in the U.S. and abroad. While offerings change over time, travelers commonly find:

• Domestic flights from most medium and large U.S. cities
• Nonstop international flights from major global hubs in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia

Common Airlines Serving ATL

You will typically see:

• Delta Air Lines – Atlanta is Delta’s main hub, with extensive domestic and international connections
• Other large U.S. carriers offering regular service, such as:
  • American Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines
• A mix of international carriers flying directly into ATL on popular global routes

Because Atlanta is such a large connecting hub, you often have multiple flight options per day from major U.S. cities and at least some options from mid-sized cities.

Best Time to Book a Flight to Atlanta

The best time to book can depend on when you’re traveling and where you’re coming from, but common patterns include:

• Weekdays vs. weekends: Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are often less in demand than Friday or Sunday evenings.
• Peak travel seasons in Atlanta:
  • Spring (March–May), especially during large conventions and events
  • Summer travel season (June–August)
  • Major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
• Big Atlanta events (sports, concerts, festivals, conventions) can increase prices and reduce availability.

If you’re flexible:

• Consider flying early morning or late evening, which may offer more options and sometimes better pricing.
• Look at alternate days around your target date to see if shifting by one or two days helps.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): What to Expect

ATL can feel overwhelming because of its size, but it is well-organized and clearly signed.

Basic Layout

ATL has:

• Two main terminal areas:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South sides)
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal) on the east side of the airport
• A series of concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) connected by:
  • A central underground Plane Train
  • Walkable tunnels with moving walkways

Domestic flights usually arrive at Concourse T–D, and some at E.
International flights often arrive at Concourse E or F, with check-in at the International Terminal.

Getting Around Inside ATL

Key tips to move smoothly through ATL:

• Follow overhead signs for “Ground Transportation,” “Baggage Claim,” or “Connecting Flights.”
• Use the Plane Train (an underground tram) to move quickly between concourses.
• If you prefer walking, there is a walkway corridor beneath the concourses with art and exhibits; it connects all concourses and terminals.

Arriving in Atlanta: Immigration, Baggage Claim, and Customs

If you’re flying in from another country, you will:

1. Arrive at Concourse E or F
2. Go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (follow the “Arrivals” and “Passport Control” signs)
3. Collect your checked bags
4. Clear customs
5. Re-check bags if you’re connecting to another city, or proceed to Ground Transportation if Atlanta is your final stop

For domestic arrivals:

• Watch the screens or listen for announcements; they will direct you to your baggage claim carousel in the Domestic Terminal.
• After grabbing your bags, follow the signs for:
  • Rideshare
  • Taxi
  • MARTA (public transit)
  • Rental cars
  • Hotel shuttles

Getting From ATL to Atlanta Neighborhoods

One of the most important parts of flying to Atlanta is knowing how you’ll leave the airport and get into the city.

1. MARTA (Public Transit) 🚆

MARTA is Atlanta’s main public rail and bus system. The airport is directly connected to the MARTA Red and Gold rail lines.

• Airport MARTA Station: Located inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• From the station, trains go to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center, Georgia State)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown, North Avenue)
  • Buckhead (Buckhead, Lenox)
  • North Fulton/Perimeter area (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, etc. via Red Line)

If you’re landing at the International Terminal, you can:

• Take a free shuttle to the Domestic Terminal, then walk into the MARTA station.

MARTA Tips:

• Trains typically run around every 10–20 minutes during most of the day.
• You’ll buy a Breeze Card or Breeze Ticket at machines in the station.
• MARTA can be faster than driving during rush hour, especially to Downtown or Midtown.

2. Taxis 🚕

Official taxis line up outside the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.

• Expect flat-rate or metered fares to central Atlanta neighborhoods.
• Taxis are a straightforward choice if:
  • You have multiple bags
  • You’re arriving late at night
  • You prefer direct, door-to-door service

3. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

Rideshare services are widely used in Atlanta.

• At the Domestic Terminal, rideshare pickups use designated areas in the Ground Transportation section.
• At the International Terminal, follow signs to the Rideshare/Passenger Pickup area.

Once you land, open your app and select your terminal/door location; the app will guide you to the right pickup zone.

4. Rental Cars

ATL has a dedicated Rental Car Center that houses major rental brands.

How to get there:

• From the Domestic Terminal, take the SkyTrain (an automated people-mover) from the Ground Transportation area to the Rental Car Center.
• From the International Terminal, shuttles take passengers directly to the Rental Car Center.

This is useful if you’re going to:

• Suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, or Peachtree City
• Areas not directly served by MARTA
• Multiple locations around metro Atlanta

Flying Out of Atlanta: What Locals and Visitors Should Know

If you live in Atlanta or are departing ATL, planning your outbound flight is just as important.

When to Arrive at the Airport

Because ATL is busy:

• For domestic flights: Plan to arrive about 2 hours before departure.
• For international flights: Plan for about 3 hours before departure.

Consider adding extra time if:

• You’re flying during holidays or peak morning hours
• You need to check bags
• You’re not familiar with the airport

Choosing the Right Terminal

When you book your flight, check your departure terminal:

• Most domestic flights use the Domestic Terminal – North or South.
• Delta often uses the South Terminal check-in area.
• Many other airlines check in at the North Terminal.
• International flights often check in at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.

Your boarding pass and airline confirmation should specify where to check in.

Parking at ATL

If you’re driving to the airport, there are several parking options:

• Domestic Terminal Parking
  • Hourly and daily garages
  • Economy lots
• International Terminal Parking
  • Attached decks and economy options
• Off-site private parking lots around College Park and nearby areas, with shuttles to the airport

Parking availability and pricing can vary, so many travelers check options in advance and allow time for shuttle rides from remote lots.

Typical Flight Patterns To and From Atlanta

People searching for “flight to Atlanta Georgia” often want to know what to expect about connections and layovers.

Direct vs. Connecting Flights

Because ATL is such a large hub:

• Many travelers connect through Atlanta on Delta or other carriers.
• If Atlanta is your final destination, check whether the flight is:
  • Nonstop (most convenient)
  • One-stop (connecting through another city)

If you’re connecting in Atlanta:

• ATL is designed for connections; the Plane Train makes it fairly quick to change concourses.
• Keep an eye on:
  • Minimum connection time (domestic vs. international)
  • Gate changes shown on airport monitors and your airline app

What It’s Like Inside ATL: Amenities and Services

Long layover or early arrival? ATL has a range of services and amenities.

Food and Shopping

Across the concourses (especially A, B, C, and T), you’ll typically find:

• Quick-service restaurants and sit-down dining
• Coffee shops and snack stands
• Newsstands and small retail shops
• Some local Atlanta flavors represented in restaurant choices

Wi‑Fi and Work Spaces

• Free Wi‑Fi is usually available throughout the terminal.
• Many gates and seating areas include charging outlets.
• Some concourses and areas have quiet seating zones or business centers, which can be helpful if you need to work.

Special Considerations for Families, Seniors, and Travelers With Disabilities

If you’re flying to or from Atlanta with specific accessibility or mobility needs, ATL and most airlines offer assistance.

Common options include:

• Wheelchair assistance from check-in through security to the gate
• Family lanes at security checkpoints during busy times
• Assistance for unaccompanied minors (arranged through your airline)

To make this smoother:

• Request any needed assistance when booking your ticket or at least 24–48 hours before departure.
• At ATL, speak with airline staff at check-in or gate counters if you require extra help.

For general accessibility information, travelers can contact the airport’s main information line:

Smaller and Alternate Airports Around Atlanta

If you’re seeing “Atlanta” in a flight search but not flying directly into ATL, you may be dealing with:

• Regional airports used for private, charter, or limited commercial service, such as:
  • DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Chamblee
  • Cobb County International Airport (RYY) in Kennesaw

Most standard commercial airline tickets booked by consumers will use ATL, but if you’re dealing with charter flights, corporate travel, or private aviation, these other airports may appear as options.

Practical Tips for Booking a Flight to Atlanta, Georgia

To make your trip smoother:

• Check airport code “ATL” when booking to ensure you’re flying into the correct Atlanta airport.
• Compare times and connections: ATL is busy, but it often offers many different departure times.
• Account for traffic: If you’re heading to or from ATL by car, build in extra time during:
  • Weekday morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.)
  • Afternoon/evening rush (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.)
• Know your end destination in metro Atlanta:
  • Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead – MARTA can be efficient.
  • Farther suburbs – Rental car or rideshare may be more practical.

Key Atlanta Flight & Airport Info at a Glance

With this overview, you can plan and book a flight to Atlanta, Georgia more confidently, understand what to expect at ATL, and choose the best way to get where you’re going in the city or across the metro area.